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Post by Roehm3108 on Apr 8, 2005 20:19:12 GMT 10
Hi all
Has anybody out there got a van (preferrably pre 1955) that actually has an original exterior light on it? From looking at several vans in the photo album, the only vans with lights seem to be new, modern fittings. Does this mean that the early vans didn't have an outside light? If anyone has an old original one, I would appreciate seeing what they looked like.
Thanks
Ray
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Post by belinda on Apr 9, 2005 9:12:17 GMT 10
hi Ray
our van obviously never had an exterior light and I'm guessing it's late forties/early fifties.
Interior fittings are all original and there is a close-up of one of them on our thread "Belinda and Robert's pride and joy"
How about having a close look at the period photos on the "memorabilia" and other posts?
cheers
Belinda
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Post by Roehm3108 on Apr 9, 2005 18:11:07 GMT 10
Did what you suggested Belinda - not much help there either. Can only conclude that exterior lights must not have been added almost until aluminium vans came to the fore. The Chesney has an oyster shape fitted, but it really doesn't look very "period" (1945). I guess if I can't find anything else that's weatherproof, I might instal a flush fitting light there instead. The purist would probably say "hang a hurricane lamp out when you need outside light".
Anyway, I will keep searching.
Thanks
Ray
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2005 19:27:20 GMT 10
Ray, I've just been through the 1957 "Australian Caravan & Touring Manual" where there are heaps of photos of new vans ......and none of them have an exterior light .....they obviously just weren't thought of. Arthur Pullin, the fellow that custom designed and built my van named "Joker 11" in 1956 thought of it though ....."joker 11" has a light socket to the front of the door, its just a globe socket for outside light, but no light fitting. www.vintagecaravans.com/images/new.jpgYou can just see it in the photo, a small "dot" by the top RH corner of the door. It has since been disconnected and a modern exterior light has been fitted to the rear of the door. I was going to remove the modern light, but never did. I stick a light globe in the original socket when the van goes on display anyway. Arthur was well ahead of his time with caravan design though, "Joker 11" also has an original inverter which converts 12 volt power to 240 volt for small appliances (shaver etc), which amazingly still works today  . www.vintagecaravans.com/images/f1030010.jpg |
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Post by Roehm3108 on Apr 12, 2005 13:40:08 GMT 10
Hey Mark I notice that the van that looks like a tram in "Cute Van" in this section has an old bunker light fitted. Maybe that's the way to go! Anyone out there got an old one in their shed?  ?? Thanks Ray |
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Post by caraparker on May 19, 2005 9:30:33 GMT 10
I see them at my local tip shops, check to see if your local tips have a tip shop, as they are a great source of everything you need for old caravans.
I found caravan fridges, lights,stoves taillights, water pumps, sinks new old stock items like cupboard handles andlots more!!!
cheers
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 19, 2005 14:13:16 GMT 10
I know what you mean caraparker. I'm already a "regular"at the local dump. Picked up a set of 4 hubcaps for 14" rims the other day. They're stainless steel, without any centre logo in them!!
Ray
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Post by humptydumpty on May 19, 2005 20:18:27 GMT 10
Thats almost a religion, but I can't say i've found anything good for a van....I usually turn up after somebody else just bought it.
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Post by caraparker on May 20, 2005 9:59:20 GMT 10
yes humpty, but you don't go EVERY DAY! and I always pay what I think of as fair even if it means giving them an extra dollar or two above the price they ask for. The local tip shop is run by a not for profit workers co-operative and appreciates that someone is not trying to screw the last dollar out of them, hence they will keep an eye out for stuff that you need. although there are few things better in life than finding a gem in someone elses throwouts.
cheers
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Post by 66saint on May 23, 2005 11:47:25 GMT 10
Ray,
My van has an exterior light and it does look original. The switch is push/pull chrome near the floor as you enter the van. The light looks like a deco short bar fluorescent style and it is in the same style as the original interior lights.
Once again, it is not confirmed, but I am under the impression that its vintage is 1957.
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 28, 2005 16:28:25 GMT 10
Thanks Highwayman
Its easier in many ways to find something for a 50's van, with all the deco stuff around. But the Chesney is a 1945, so "austerity chic" is what I'm looking for. I'm fast coming to the conclusion that bunker lights might be the go, although some that I've seen stick out rather proud of the wall, so I'll keep looking for a more "flatter" profile. I've even considered a brick light (the ones that are the size of a brick and set in flat with the wall)
Cheers
Ray
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Post by caraparker on May 28, 2005 17:01:30 GMT 10
I put a brick light on the outside of my carapark van, mostly because someone had tried to install an outside light and drilled a series of holes to make one large on and also put a large dent next to the hole! they stopped when they found that there was no easy way to get the wiring through, and coversd the whole mess with a grill that vented nothing! I had to have a brick shaped light to cover all the damage. I stripped all the powder coating off the grill which gave a vintage Aluminium look when polished. Because of Very limited access, and difficulty sealing, I installed a 12v energy saving globe (the fleurescent type) ind sealed the glass to the caravan skin with silicon, and screwed on the grill. Have had no need after two years to break the silicon seal as the Globes have a very long life. Thought this may be helpful cheers see tha attached link to check out the pic of my van after polishing and you will see the exterior light to the right of the door! vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=1096892986&start= |
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Post by Roehm3108 on May 28, 2005 17:37:39 GMT 10
Looks great Caraparker. What type of fridge is that??? Is it 240v only, or is it an icebox type???
Ray
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Post by timmo on Jun 9, 2005 21:15:30 GMT 10
Hi Ray and others, I've got a 50's homemade caravan that has an outside light socket only. It was obviously fitted when built and sits flush with the side of the van.When you put a globe in, only the "glass bit" sticks out.When theres no globe in,its a good hiding place for spiders.
.....TIMMO
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Post by carapark on Jun 10, 2005 2:34:50 GMT 10
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Post by Roehm3108 on Jun 10, 2005 17:53:46 GMT 10
HI Timmo/Carapark Thanks for sharing your information. Mark's van also only has the light socket in it. As you say Timmo, a great spider hole. I would say that my vintage (mid 1940's) didn't have an outside light at all. My Chesney had one fitted by the past owner (he wanted to "modernise" it!! ) I think I will keep a light there, but look for an older looking fitting than the common Oyster type that's there at the moment. Almost convinced myself into a bunker light type of thing, especially if I can find an old one somewhere. Cheers Ray |
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Post by belinda on Aug 21, 2005 16:36:23 GMT 10
It sounds like exterior lights didn't become a standard item until quite late. The 1967 edition of Keith Winser's "Plans for Caravans" says:
"Few caravans come equipped with an exterior door light to illuminate the soon-wanted annexe. It is advisable to plan your wiring to fit one, perhaps from your orange width lights. If the glass is removed a plug-in extension is possible. There are a number of small waterproof nautical deck lights that fit fairly flush to the wall - another necessity -which always makes these fittings worthwhile"
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Post by Roehm3108 on Aug 22, 2005 20:02:30 GMT 10
Hi Belinda
I've just looked through a photocopied book of Keith Winser dated around 1951/2 which lists all Australian vans around in that era, and, interestingly not one of those vans has an outside ligt on them, even those wired for electricity!!
Ray
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Post by 22hope on Aug 26, 2005 21:39:09 GMT 10
Some times I think that Keith Winser didn't read his own books. I have looked in my 1957 Australian Caravan and Touring Guide ( I must have the later edition Mark).
Hendy Trailer & Caravan Pty Ltd sold a small light with a switch which is exactly the same as the 12 volt external light fitted to my "Classic". Hendy's phone number is FY 1746 give em a call they may still have some NOS.
In the same book there is one fitted to a Road Master Caravan.
I will get a photo of the one I have posted soon
Vauxhall 62
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